Cuff link guard

ABSTRACT

A semirigid plate for securing cuff links is provided with an aperture in the shape of a Greek cross. The plate is adaptable for keying the backs of conventional cuff links through the said aperture. When the plate is either pocketed in or placed between the folds of a shirt cuff and keys the cuff link&#39;&#39;s back, the securing of a cuff link is improved.

llnited States Patent Molbell [15] fiflfidfll 1 [451 Mini. 18, 1972 @IJIFF LINK GUARD [72] Inventor: Sidney F. Mobell, 330 Bridge Road, Hillsborough, Calif. 94010 [22] Filed: Aug. 7, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 61,880

[52] 11.8. C1 ..24/90.5 [51] Int. Cl. ..A441b 1/18 [58] Field of Search ..24/90.5, 102 PL, 102 PC, 97

[5 6] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,562,724 1 H1925 Redfield ..24/90.5 1,598,576 8/1926 I-Iabenicht ..24/ 102 PC 3,418,699 12/1968 Feldman ..24/90.5

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 392,109 5/1933 Great Britain ..24/90.5

Primary Examiner-Donald A. Griffin Attorney-Townsend and Townsend [5 7] ABSTRACT A semirigid plate for securing cuff links is provided with an aperture in the shape of a Greek cross. The plate is adaptable for keying the backs of conventional cuff links through the said aperture. When the plate is either pocketed in or placed between the folds of a shirt cuff and keys the cuff link's back, the securing of a cuff link is improved.

10 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENIED JAN 1 8 i972 SHEET 1 0F 2 FIG 60 INVENTOR. SIDNEY F MOBELL ATTORNEYS PATENTEDJAN18 m2 SHEET 2 BF 2 FIG 4 INVENTOR. I SIDNEY F. MOBELL ATTORNEYS CUFF LINK GUARD This invention relates to cuff links and more specifically to an improved sleeve mounting for conventional cuff links consisting of a semirigid, apertured guardplate.

Cuff links are manufactured with an ornamental plate and an attached back for securing the cuff link to the sleeve. Usually, this back has two parallel tines projecting from the reverse or sleeve side of the ornamental plate of the cuff link. The tines, at the remote ends from the ornamental plate, are cross-bored and assembled with a securing bar between them which pivots between two positions. In one position the securing bar is parallel to the axis of the tines, and the cuff link can be inserted or removed from the cuff. In the other position, the securing bar is at right angles to the axis of the tines and removal of the cuff link is, hopefully, not possible.

Unfortunately, such cuff-link-securing locks are not completely secure. Rotation of the securing bar from a position at right angles to the tines to a position parallel to them is only prevented by the thickness and inflexibility of the cuff. When this stiffness is absent, as by the loss of the starch in the cuff or by the loss of sizing through aging of the shirt, the securing bar can be pivoted to a position parallel to the tines axis where cuff link release occurs with relative case. In addition, the ornamental plate is more free to rotate about the major axis of the attached back. When such rotation occurs, the securing bar aligns itself with the axis of the buttonhole aperture or apertures in the shirt. Inadvertent removal of the cuff link from the cuff and its subsequent loss frequently follows.

Accordingly, an object of this invention is to disclose a cuff link guardplate containing an aperture in the shape of a Greek cross which prevents the inadvertent dislodgement of cuff links having a securing bar which pivots between the two parallel tines rigidly mounted to the cuff link.

An advantage of this guardplate is that it provides a firm surface against which the securing bar can rest; inadvertent pivotal rotation of the bar to the position parallel to the tines is prevented even when the cloth of the cuff looses its stiffness.

A further advantage of the semirigid construction of the guardplate is that it is flexible enough to conform to the natural bend of the cuff.

Yet another advantage of the guardplate is that it assists the cuff in maintaining a planar surface for exhibiting ornamental cuff links under all conditions of wear.

And yet another advantage of the Greek-cross-shaped aperture is that it keys the tines of the cuff link back; hence the cuff link cannot become accidentally dislodged through rotation of the cuff link back about its major axis.

A further advantage of this invention is that while in use the guardplate is hidden from view in the folds of the cuff.

Still another advantage of this invention is that the guardplate can be installed within a pocket interior to the cuff. The plate can either be removable or permanently fastened therein.

Still another advantage of this invention is that the guard can be used with either French or barrel-type cuffs manufactured to accept cuff links.

Other objects, features and advantages of this invention will be apparent after referring to the following specification and attached drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a French cuff illustrating the guardplate of this invention placed over and being penetrated by a securing bar and the two tines of a cuff link back;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective similar to FIG. 1, showing the cuff link back secured to the cuff of a sleeve, the outer fold of the French cuff being partially broken away;

FIG. 3 is an end view of the cuff of FIGS. 1 and 2 with the folds in partial section to illustrate the relative positions of the cuff link folds and the cufi" link guardplate of this invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the cuff link back and guardplate illustrating the function of the Greek-cross-shaped aper ture in accommodating a cylindrical securing bar common to many cufflinks;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 illustrating a rectangular cross-sectioned securing bar common to other types of cuff link backs;

FIG. 6a is a plan view of the cuff link guard of this invention illustrating schematically in broken lines the portion of the holder which permits insertion and removal of the cuff link backs securing bar;

FIG. 6b is a view similar to FIG. 6a illustrating schematically in broken lines the portion of holder which keys to the cuff link back s tines;

FIG. 7 illustrates the guardplate of this invention installed within a pocket stitched into the barrel cuff of a shirt manufactured to receive a cuff link.

Referring to FIGS. 13, cuff A, of the French variety, is illustrated folded as if about an arm. A cuff link having an ornamental plate B and an attached back C is shown extending through cuff A and holding its lower portions together about an arm (not shown).

Between the back C and the ornamental plate B, the guardplate D of this invention is placed. As shown in the French cuff illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, cuff link holder D is placed to capture between its surface and the reverse surface of decorative plate B three folds of cloth, the remaining fold of cloth being captured between the pivotal securing bar of back C and the opposite surface of the guardplate D.

With specific reference to FIG. 1, French cuff A can be immediately understood. This cuff is of conventional construction being fastened at the end ofa sleeve 14. CuffA includes a first portion 15 which is an extension of the sleeve and a second portion 16 which is folded back to cover portion 15. The end of the cuff 17 is thus formed by a folded-over piece of cloth. Both first portion 15 and second portion 16 include two stitch-reinforced buttonhole'type apertures 18. These four apertures 18 each form slits in the cuff normal to the axis of the arm of the wearer between the wrist and elbow. Ideally, when first and second portions 15 and 16 overlie one another and the cuff is placed around an arm ready to be held in place by a cuff link, all of the apertures 18 are aligned so as to allow easy passage of the cuff link back through them.

Thus, it will be seen with reference to FIG. 3 that the cuff, when sectioned in the vicinity of the back C, includes four folds of cloth. Fold 20 is immediately adjacent to the reverse or hidden side of the ornamental plate B. Fold 21 underlies fold 20 and is attached to fold 20 at leading edge 17 of the cuff. Fold 22 is adjacent to fold 21 when the cuff is fastened by a cuff link. Fold 23 is directly in contact with the pivotal securing bar of the cuff link back C and is attached to fold 22 at leading edge 17 of the cuff. As illustrated here, the cuff link holder D is sandwiched between folds 22 and 23 where it is concealed from view.

Referring to FIG. 3, decorative plate B of the cuff link is illustrated. Decorative plate B, insofar as is relevant to this disclosure, includes an exposed obverse side 30 and a hidden, typically flat reverse side 31. As is apparent, the obverse side 30 can have any number of decorative configurations.

The concealed side 31 of decorative plate B of the cuff link typically has fastened thereto back C.

Referring to FIG. 5, back C includes two upwardly extending tines 41 and 42 fastened to the concealed surface 31 of the ornamental plate B in parallel spaced-apart relation. As here shown, tines 41 and 42 are joined at a common base 43 to give a tuning-fork appearance to the cuff link back C.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, back C is rigidly mounted to the ornamental plate of the cuff link B. Alternatively, back C can be hinged to surface 31 of cuff link back B.

Securing bar 50 is pivotally mounted on a pin shaft 52 crossbored in the ends of tines 41 and 42 remote from concealed surface 31 of ornamental plate B. Bar 50 as shownin FIG. 5 has two ends 54 and 55 of relatively small rectangular cross section with a medial portion 56 of a relatively large rectangular cross section. Between its ends 54 and 55 on one hand and its medial portion 56 on the other hand, the cross section of securing bar 50 slopes to provide the curving contour illustrated in perspective in FIG. 5.

It will be apparent that securing bar 50 pivots between two separate positions. The first position, illustrated in FIG. 1 and 5 aligns securing bar 50 parallel to tines 41 and 42. In this position back C penetrates the cuff. In the second position, securing bar 50 is aligned normally to tines 41 and 42. In this position, the securing bar 50 locks the cuff link back C to the cuff A.

The cuff link guard D of this invention comprises a thin strip of semiflexible material, typically a rectangularly shaped metal or plastic wafer.

Holder D is apertured in the center at aperture 60. This aperture, in the shape of a Greek cross, cooperates with back C to firmly lock the cufflink to the sleeve. The cooperation of the aperture with the back C can best be illustrated with respect to FIGS. 5, 6a and 6b. Aperture 60 includes a first rectangular section 61 emphasized by heavy lines 62 and broken lines 63. Rectangular aperture 61 includes a section sufficient to accommodate the section of securing bar 50 at medial portion 56 when it is placed through the holder D of this invention.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6b, aperture 60 also includes a second rectangular aperture 65 superimposed perpendicularly to aperture 61 illustrated in FIG. 6a. Rectangular aperture 65 is illustrated by heavy lines 66 and broken lines 67. As appears from FIG. 6!), this rectangular aperture 65 is sufficient to accommodate the sections of tines 41 and 42 and the space therebetween.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 5, it can be immediately seen that when back C is inserted through aperture 60, back C immediately keys to the aperture at tines 41 and 42. These tines occupy areas 92 and 93 of aperture 60. Thus, when securing bar 50 is rotated at right angles to tines 41 and 42, the guard D is secured in rotational position to back C. Relative rotation between the guard D and the back C cannot occur.

The rectangular shape of holder D has another advantage not immediately apparent. Typically, this holder has an upper surface 70 which is parallel to the axis of the wearers arm between his hand and his elbow. This surface bears against the curve of the cuff as it encircles the wearers arm and cuff link holder D and the entire cuff link which is keyed to it. Thus, the cuff link will not be free to rotate on the cuff A but will be restrained to a single position.

It will also be noted that the semifiexible material of the guard D will provide a relatively firm surface against which the bottom portion of securing bar 50 will bear when the cuff link is installed as illustrated in FIG. 2. This surface will resist pivotal movement of securing bar 50 relative to tines 41 and 42. Inadvertent removal of the cufflink from the sleeve will be prevented.

It should be noted that the guard D here illustrated is capable of accommodating almost any cuff link back that now is in production. One alternate embodiment of a cuff link back C is illustrated in FIG. 4.

Referring to FIG. 4, it is seen that tines 41 and 42 have pivotally secured therebetween about pin shaft 52 a securing bar 80 of cylindrical configuration. It will be immediately seen referring to FIG. 6!) at broken lines 87 that aperture 65 readily permits the insertion and the removal of the cylindrical securing bar 80 when it is parallel to tines 41 and 42.

It should be noted that some tines such as those illustrated at 41 and 42 are of circular cross section. It should be apparent to the reader that these tines will also key to areas 68 and 69 of aperture 60 illustrated in guard D of this invention.

Referring to FIG. 7, two additional advantages of this invention are illustrated. First, the cuff link guard D of this invention can be used with a regular barrel cuff; that is, a cuff which has only one layer of cloth extending over each side of the arm and does not include a second, and folded-over portion as shown in FIG. 1.

Additionally, the cuff link guard D can either be permanently or temporarily placed within a pocket 90 configured within barrel-shaped cuff A. This pocketing of the guard D enables it to be conveniently made with and sold as a part ofa shirt. Moreover, guard D as placed in the cuff A reinforces the cuff in the vicinity of the cuff link, preserving the shirts appearance.

It should be apparent at this point that numerous modifications can be made with this invention. The holder D can be of any desired shape. For example, it can be square, as illustrated here, round or rectangular. Moreover, the holder can be made of any number of materials including plastic, stiff cloth, light metal, or the like. Similarly, other modifications can be made to this invention without departing from its spirit or scope.

What is claimed is:

1. In the combination of a cuff folded about an arm with overlying buttonholes, a cuff link having a plate with an attached back including two tines with a pivotal securing bar fastened therebetween for insertion through the apertures of said cuff, and a fastening member inserted over said cuff link back for capturing at least a portion of said cuff between said fastening member and said cuff link plate, the improvement in said fastening member comprising: a substantially planar piece of material having a dimension sufiicient to overlie said cuff around said buttonholes; there being an aperture defined centrally on said piece of material including first and second portions; said first portions having a section complementary to the section of said tines of said back when tines are inserted therethrough and key said tine to the material of said piece; and, said second portions having a section complementary to the section of said securing bar when said bar is pivoted parallel to said tines for permitting insertion and removal of said cufflink at said back.

2. The invention of claim 1 and wherein said aperture is formed in the shape ofa Greek cross.

3. The invention of claim 1 and wherein said flat piece of material is rectangular.

4. The invention of claim 1 and wherein said fiat piece of material is semiflexible.

5. A cuff link holder for use with a cuff link back including two tines and a pivotal securing bar fastened therebetween for capturing at least a portion of said cuff between the securing bar of said cuff link on one hand, and the reverse side of said cuff link face on the other, said holder comprising a planar piece of material having a dimension in the plane of said material to overlie and grip the cuff at the material around buttonholes; there being an aperture defined centrally of said piece of material including first and second portions, said first portions having a section complementary to the section of said tines of back for permitting said tines to be inserted therethrough and to key to the material of said piece; said second portions having a section complementary to the section of said securing bar when said bar is pivoted parallel to said tines for permitting insertion and removal of said cuff link.

6. The invention of claim 5 and wherein said aperture at said first and second portions is formed in the shape of a Greek cross.

7. In combination: a cuff for folding about an arm and having at least two buttonholes for overlying one another when folded about said arm; a substantially planar piece of material having a dimension sufficient to overlie said cuff around said buttonholes; there being an aperture defined centrally on said piece of material and formed in the shape of a Greek cross having first and second portions; said first portions of said Greek cross defining a space in said aperture for permitting the tines ofa cufflink back to be inserted therethrough and to key the material of said piece; a second portion of said aperture having a section for permitting the securing bar of a cuff link back when pivoted parallel to said tines to be inserted and removed from said cuff; and means for fastening said piece of material to said cuff for overlying at least one of said buttonholes.

8. The invention of claim 7 and wherein said means for fastening said piece to said cuff includes a cuff link.

9. The invention of claim 7 and wherein said means for fastening said piece to said cuff includes a pocket within said cuff.

10. The invention of claim 7 and wherein said piece is placed within a closed pocket interior to said cuff. 

1. In the combination of a cuff folded about an arm with overlying buttonholes, a cuff link having a plate with an attached back including two tines with a pivotal securing bar fastened therebetween for insertion through the apertures of said cuff, and a fastening member inserted over said cuff link back for capturing at least a portion of said cuff between said fastening member and said cuff link plate, the improvement in said fastening member comprising: a substantially planar piece of material having a dimension sufficient to overlie said cuff around said buttonholes; there being an aperture defined centrally on said piece of material including first and second portions; said first portions having a section complementary to the section of said tines of said back when tines are inserted therethrough and key said tine to the material of said piece; and, said second portions having a section complementary to the section of said securing bar when said bar is pivoted parallel to said tines for permitting insertion and removal of said cuff link at said back.
 2. The invention of claim 1 and wherein said aperture is formed in the shape of a Greek cross.
 3. The invention of claim 1 and wherein said flat piece of material is rectangular.
 4. The invention of claim 1 and wherein said flat piece of material is semiflexible.
 5. A cuff link holder for use with a cuff link back including two tines and a pivotal securing bar fastened therebetween for capturing at least a portion of said cuff between the securing bar of said cuff link on one hand, and the reverse side of said cuff link face on the other, said holder comprising a planar piece of material having a dimension in the plane of said material to overlie and grip the cUff at the material around buttonholes; there being an aperture defined centrally of said piece of material including first and second portions, said first portions having a section complementary to the section of said tines of back for permitting said tines to be inserted therethrough and to key to the material of said piece; said second portions having a section complementary to the section of said securing bar when said bar is pivoted parallel to said tines for permitting insertion and removal of said cuff link.
 6. The invention of claim 5 and wherein said aperture at said first and second portions is formed in the shape of a Greek cross.
 7. In combination: a cuff for folding about an arm and having at least two buttonholes for overlying one another when folded about said arm; a substantially planar piece of material having a dimension sufficient to overlie said cuff around said buttonholes; there being an aperture defined centrally on said piece of material and formed in the shape of a Greek cross having first and second portions; said first portions of said Greek cross defining a space in said aperture for permitting the tines of a cuff link back to be inserted therethrough and to key the material of said piece; a second portion of said aperture having a section for permitting the securing bar of a cuff link back when pivoted parallel to said tines to be inserted and removed from said cuff; and means for fastening said piece of material to said cuff for overlying at least one of said buttonholes.
 8. The invention of claim 7 and wherein said means for fastening said piece to said cuff includes a cuff link.
 9. The invention of claim 7 and wherein said means for fastening said piece to said cuff includes a pocket within said cuff.
 10. The invention of claim 7 and wherein said piece is placed within a closed pocket interior to said cuff. 